Plato Resources: The Essential Library
Welcome to our curated collection of resources on Plato and Platonic philosophy. Whether you're a student encountering these ideas for the first time, a teacher looking for classroom materials, or a lifelong learner pursuing deeper understanding, we've compiled the best books, articles, online courses, and digital resources to support your philosophical journey.
The study of Plato opens doors to fundamental questions about reality, knowledge, ethics, and politics that have shaped Western thought for over two millennia. We hope these resources guide you in your exploration of this rich intellectual tradition.
"The beginning is the most important part of the work." — Plato, Republic
Primary Texts and Translations
The foundation of Platonic study begins with the dialogues themselves. Here we recommend reliable translations that balance accuracy with readability.
Complete Works of Plato
Edited by John M. Cooper (Hackett Publishing, 1997)
The authoritative one-volume collection of Plato's complete works in English. Features excellent translations by various scholars, helpful introductions to each dialogue, and extensive notes. Essential for any serious student of Plato.
Five Dialogues
Translated by G.M.A. Grube, revised by John M. Cooper (Hackett Publishing, 2002)
An excellent introduction to Plato, containing five essential dialogues: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Meno, and Phaedo. Grube's translations are clear and accessible, making this the perfect entry point for newcomers to Platonic thought.
Republic
Translated by C.D.C. Reeve (Hackett Publishing, 2004)
Reeve's translation of Plato's masterwork balances accuracy with readability. Includes a useful introduction, footnotes, and glossary of terms. Particularly good for readers interested in Plato's political philosophy.
Loeb Classical Library Edition
Various translators (Harvard University Press)
The definitive scholarly edition with Greek and English on facing pages. Ideal for those working with the original texts or doing close textual analysis. Available in multiple volumes covering all of Plato's works.
Secondary Literature and Commentaries
These works provide context, analysis, and interpretation to deepen your understanding of Plato's thought.
Plato: A Very Short Introduction
Julia Annas (Oxford University Press, 2003)
A concise, accessible introduction to Plato's life and thought. Annas focuses on major themes rather than individual dialogues, making this an excellent starting point for newcomers.
The Cambridge Companion to Plato
Edited by Richard Kraut (Cambridge University Press, 1992)
A collection of essays by leading scholars covering all major aspects of Plato's philosophy. Includes chapters on metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, politics, and individual dialogues.
An Introduction to Plato's Republic
Julia Annas (Oxford University Press, 1981)
A clear, rigorous commentary on Plato's most famous dialogue. Annas examines the Republic's arguments about justice, education, knowledge, and reality while placing them in historical context.
Plato's Ghost: The Modernist Transformation of Mathematics
Jeremy Gray (Princeton University Press, 2008)
Explores Plato's influence on modern mathematics and the philosophy of mathematics. Gray examines how Platonic ideas about abstraction and reality shaped mathematical thinking from the 19th century onward.
Online Courses and Lectures
Digital learning resources that provide structured approaches to Platonic philosophy.
Ancient Greek Philosophy: Plato & His Predecessors
Susan Sauvé Meyer, University of Pennsylvania (Coursera)
A comprehensive introduction to ancient Greek philosophy with substantial coverage of Plato. Includes video lectures, readings, and assessments. Can be audited for free or taken for a certificate.
Plato and His Dialogues
The Great Courses
A 24-lecture course exploring Plato's major dialogues and philosophical ideas. Covers the historical context, Socratic method, and Plato's influence on Western thought. Available on various platforms including Audible and The Great Courses Plus.
History of Ancient Philosophy
Yale University Open Courses
Free recordings of Yale's philosophy course with multiple lectures dedicated to Plato. Includes syllabus, reading list, and complete video lectures. Especially good on the historical development of Plato's thought.
Plato's Republic
Philosophy Talk
A multi-episode examination of Plato's Republic, featuring discussions with leading scholars. Addresses key questions about justice, education, and the ideal state in an accessible format.
Digital Resources and Websites
Online tools and repositories for Platonic scholarship and textual analysis.
Perseus Digital Library
Tufts University
A comprehensive digital library featuring Greek texts of Plato's works with English translations. Includes powerful search tools, grammatical analysis, and cross-references. Essential for textual study.
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Stanford University
Extensive, scholarly articles on Plato and various aspects of his philosophy. Written by experts and regularly updated. Includes comprehensive bibliographies for further reading.
Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg
Free e-books of Plato's works in various formats (PDF, Kindle, HTML). Primarily features older translations now in the public domain, including Benjamin Jowett's influential English versions.
International Plato Society
International Academic Society
Website of the leading international organization for Platonic studies. Features information about conferences, publications, and current research. Includes a bibliography of recent scholarship.
Journals and Academic Publications
Scholarly journals that regularly publish research on Plato and Platonic philosophy.
| Journal Name | Focus | Publisher | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ancient Philosophy | Ancient Greek and Roman philosophy | Mathesis Publications | Subscription-based |
| Phronesis | Ancient philosophy with emphasis on Plato and Aristotle | Brill | Subscription-based |
| Oxford Studies in Ancient Philosophy | Annual collection of essays on ancient philosophy | Oxford University Press | Purchase |
| Journal of the History of Philosophy | History of Western philosophy, including ancient period | Johns Hopkins University Press | Subscription-based |
| Classical Quarterly | Classical Greek and Roman studies, including philosophy | Cambridge University Press | Subscription-based |
| The International Journal of the Platonic Tradition | Plato and Platonism throughout history | Brill | Subscription-based |
Suggested Reading Pathways
Not sure where to begin with Plato? Here are three suggested reading pathways depending on your interests:
Ethics and Personal Development
- Apology — Socrates' defense of the philosophical life
- Crito — On obligation and moral integrity
- Gorgias — The contrast between philosophy and rhetoric
- Symposium — Love and the ascent to beauty
- Republic (especially Books I, II, IV) — Justice and the well-ordered soul
- Phaedo — Philosophy as preparation for death
Recommended secondary text: Alexander Nehamas, "The Art of Living: Socratic Reflections from Plato to Foucault"
Metaphysics and Reality
- Meno — Introduction to the Forms and recollection
- Phaedo — Arguments for the Forms and immortality
- Republic (especially Books V-VII) — The Theory of Forms and the Allegory of the Cave
- Parmenides — Critiques of the Theory of Forms
- Sophist — Being, non-being, and the "parricide" of Parmenides
- Timaeus — Plato's cosmology
Recommended secondary text: Francis Cornford, "Plato's Theory of Knowledge"
Politics and Society
- Crito — Citizenship and obligation
- Gorgias — Critique of power politics
- Republic — The ideal state and justice
- Statesman — The nature of political expertise
- Laws (selections) — Plato's practical political vision
Recommended secondary text: Malcolm Schofield, "Plato: Political Philosophy"